Genma Holmes: Debra Lee’s Circus, The BET Awards
Categories: African-American, Entertainment, Featured, Media
Written By: Shawn Williams
By Genma Holmes of Genma Speaks
Watching movies and barbecuing is how my family spends most Sunday afternoons. This past Sunday, I broke a cardinal rule and watched the BET Awards for the first time. My kids convinced me that it would be great since it was billed as a tribute to Michael Jackson and his humanitarian endeavors. However, the show that was promoted was not the show I watched. The BET Awards was a chaotic three hour black-a-thon fiasco.
How things begin is an indication of where things will end. Watching CNN’s anchorman Don Lemon giving shouts out on the red carpet was the start of the calamity that went downhill fast. To add to the circus atmosphere that was forming outside, Joe Jackson, MJ’s father and belt wielding former manager, was on the red carpet promoting his new record label. Huh?
I know grief is expressed in different ways but this was a drastic departure from tears and sadness that is normally shown. He sounded more like an old school promoter for Denise LaSalle than a father who had lost a son two days prior.
But what do I know. I never watched the show and I did not know if this was the norm. Arsenio Hall was raised from the dead and Chaka Khan said something. As for the rest of the folks, I had no idea if they were artists or clowns that were paid to keep us distracted.
Once the “show” started, I cursed myself for partaking in foolishness. I was tweeting throughout the night because my kids could not stand me shouting at them and the TV. New Edition was cute and Jamie Fox was comic relief. The O’Jays, in their yesteryear prom suits, had me dancing. Sugary Ne-yo and Jamie’s collaboration was touching. The duet with Monica and Keisha Cole was sassy and had vocal harmony. I loved Keke Palmer throw down. And Maxwell could have sung all night.
But what was up with Queen B’s ballerina-wedding night-wingless angel outfit? Did she sing a song that is the theme for dog rescuers? It was not proper for a MJ tribute. But the pandemonium kept coming; Ray J and the Atlanta vixens, Lil Wayne gold dipped teeth (ew), Ving Rhames, and various characters that had no talent only added to the bizarre profanity laced evening. Don Cornelius rambling intro, which made time stand still, had me praying for the torturous show to end. And let’s not forget the commercials for upcoming BET reality shows that I confused with promos for a support group for incarcerated women.
After the rappers destroyed the English language as we know it and perplexity that would have been right at home at the Hoodie Awards, Mary Mary blessed the show with a gospel song straight from a juke joint. Don’t hate, I blog like I see it.
Recognizing Alicia Keys and Wyclef was nice, but, seriously, where was the tribute to MJ? I felt Janet’s pain who sounded broken as she reminded the audience that MJ was her brother.
Why the ring mistress of BET, Debra Lee, could not have waited and worked on a show that would have been truly entertaining and befitting to MJ’s memory and his work is beyond me. MJ gave $300 million to charities which is rarely mentioned. Focusing on his charitable contributions during his lifetime and how his musical brilliance created an entire genre of music/videos would have rocked the house and lifted spirits. Instead, we were reminded why he lived in a place called “Neverland”.
You would have to live in a world of make believe to call the show a tribute. The responses on Twitter and in the blogosphere have been horrific. The poorly orchestrated show did not reflect MJ’s musical influence and minimized the gifts of many talented individuals. I am wondering if the folks at the Stellar Awards would have done a better job. On second thought, never mind, that spaceship will never land.
Genma Holmes publishes the blog Genma Speaks, which is about “all things that speak to Genma Holmes’ heart.” She is owner of a pest control owner business, based in Nashville, a writer, publisher, and work in the fashion industry. She also works with non-profits that help young people be the leaders of tomorrow.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Crowd of approving readers clapping and chanting “Genma, Genma!”
July 4th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Genma,
I gave up watching the entire award show years ago. I channel surf thru out the show and just catch selective performances or wait for friends to call me when the good segments begin. The old school tributes are my favorite segments. When Debra Lee was chosen I thought the quality of the award show and the entire channel would improve, guess what? I was wrong.
July 4th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
this is the letter I sent to BET
Baltimore, MD 21214
June 29, 2009
Black Entertainment Television Network
C/O Black Embarrassment Television
1235 W Street, NE
Washington, DC 20018 – 1211
Debra Hill, Steve Hill, Executives Producers and Associates of the 2009 BET Awards show:
On June 28, 2009 I tuned in to watch the “2009 BET Awards show” to celebrate the life, times, and memorial of Michael Jackson, based on the words spoken by (you) Debra Lee during (your) {brief} CNN interview with Don Lemon on the red carpet. Ms. Lee insinuated that the show had been revamped to honor the passing of Mr. Jackson. She (Ms. Lee) implied that her staff as well as the scheduled performing artists worked diligently to make unplanned and last minute changes {successful}. She concluded the same interview by asking viewers of CNN to tune and watch the entire show, for the following reason…the tribute would not only occur at the beginning of the show…Mr. Jackson would be honored throughout the entire evening.
Regrettably and sadly to say, this wasn’t the case for this award show. This was the worse BET award show ever. I was appalled, embarrassed, and insulted by the antics of the host, the skits, and some of the performances. It is not tribute to play his hits before and after coming from commercials. A tribute is not having drunk stars speak on the deceased. I understand a lot of people in the industry have been influenced and had a personal relationship with Mr. Jackson; however, one does not show respect by being inebriated on national, better yet, international television.
Michael Jackson was a walking ICON. There will never be another “Michael” in some of our lifetimes. He should have been honored for his musical genius. His contributions to Black and world music; he crossed several barriers that a lot of these young artists of today will never have to see due to his due diligence. Michael Jackson had rare, raw, and beautiful talent that is no more as of last Thursday (June 25th).
On Thursday, several news outlets had video clips, articles, and even previously aired documentaries on him that they cut and pasted throughout the weekend highlighting the lows of this man’s career. This was the perfect chance to remind the world of his accomplishments; meanwhile, BET decides to have clownish behavior, buffoonery and coon-ism as a means to celebrate this great ICON. This was an opportunity to self promote the network, artists, and the legend had it be done tastefully; however, this didn’t happened. It is unfortunate. Instead of making strives on Sunday, BET took us back to yesteryear. Regrettably, Sunday’s night show showed the world that we as a people still cannot get it “right”. It’s a shame that MTV, your parent company (Viacom) will be ready and willing to step on toes to have a proper tribute ready for Michael Jackson when their award show is scheduled. In addition to other musical outlets such as the Grammy’s; BET could have been the first and had the chance to set the bar on tributes to this man.
The most embarrassing moment of the evening was the Baby Boy skit and the Lil Wayne performance (going forward, BET should require all rappers / artists to perform the radio edit of their songs). I could go on and on with the negativity of the show, but these two incidents rank highly on my list. The worse moment of the evening was when Ving Rhames an accredited black actor (Mission Impossible 1 & 2, Baby Boy, Pulp Fiction, Holiday Heart, and the list goes on) asked the crowd to say the following; “Michael Jackson is a gun”. When was Michael Jackson ever a thug, hustler, or a street person? I felt awful for the family, friends, and fans of Mr. Jackson. An apology needs to be issued by BET and Ving Rhames for that moment. It was downright distasteful while his father and sister were present. Additionally, when editing it done for repeats that part should be removed. Let’s be professionals.
Wait, Jamie Foxx’s inappropriate jokes were extremely ill-mannered. Honestly, did you think it was appropriate for him (Jamie Foxx) to ask millions of people, black and white children and adults alike, to look at his “camel toe”? …saying that Michael Jackson made it alright for men to touch their genitals? Are you serious? Was he serious? Did he even think before those words parted from his lips? Was that professional? What was he thinking?
June is recognized as Black Music Month and Sunday’s performances were neither in good taste nor the best representation of our music. I cannot nor will I deny those individuals whose performances rocked. Musically, Jamie (Foxx) did his best accompanied by Travis. As a fan of Michael Jackson and black music -period, those same artists could have performed a Jackson song throughout the night. Michael Jackson has a huge catalog; there aren’t any excuses for the lack of recognition.
Last but not least by any means, BET used today’s technology to inform the world that Chris “Breezy” Brown would be performing at the award show to pay homage to the greatest entertainer of our time. And what happens… NOTHING!!! If the rumors circulating around New York are true, I am even more disappointed in BET. I will not use this platform to name names; however, I will say this… no man is an island and untouchable. A lot of people have done wrong in their lives, publicly and privately, and to hold this “one” incident over this young mans head for the rest of his career and / or life is not fair. The Lord said it best, “ye without sin throw the first stone”. Based on news reports, YouTube clips, and fan encounters most of the artists that have appeared on your network in one form or the other over the years have sinned, and BET still support them. Simply said, Chris Breezy should have performed.
In closing, there was so much that could and should have been done. Once again, we get outshined by news outlets and “white” media because of the lack of consideration, lack of motivation, and people’s egos. It’s a shame that the generations after us will view this show on some social network or YouTube and wonder – “What the Hell?” It is disappointing to know that songs like Birthday sex, Boyfriend #2, and the like is what your network and labels are promoting today and then people question why there is increase in pregnancies and HIV infections. Back in the day, music used to uplift us, motivate us, encourage us, strengthen us, and represent us when there wasn’t much out there for us. We as a people danced, laughed, expressed ourselves, and cried through our music.
We all have a Michael Jackson song that rings supreme in our heart or soul.
Just imagine how many people were introduced to the BET network on Sunday and tuned in to watch this alleged tribute, and remember what they walked away with. Jamie Foxx’s tour, Alicia Key’s request for money, Tiny & Toya’s reality show, Frankie & Neffie reality Show, Mo’Niqua’s talk show, Wendy Williams show, etc…..Ms. Debra Lee please think about this the next time you open your mouth and insert your foot.
Forever a Black music fan, even during times of bewilderment,
Brown
July 5th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Great posts and comments. I watched most of the awards show and was a little confused by the goal of the evening. On one hand, the well performed, respectful tributes to Michael Jackson were heartfelt and touching. On the other hand, I couldn’t digest or even comprehend what the intentions were behind for example, Jaime Foxx wearing a MJ outfit 2 sizes too small, with a face of a fool, doing the moon walk. HUH? And then Ving Rhames was possibly the biggest disaster of all. My mouth dropped open and I could not believe what I was hearing. AT ALL. Was he drunk? high? In what universe is MJ = guns??? SICK.
I also expected a lot more of Debra Lee, but it seems that she’s really not trying to stand up to misogyny or the type of behavior the BET awards shows often display: thugged out, illiterate, disrespectful, etc. And that’s a damn shame.